Everything You Need To Know About The Red-Hot, Growing Lingerie Industry

The U.S. intimate apparel market represented $10.7 billion in sales in 2009, up 5.3% year over year outperforming apparel sales growth due to growth from players including JC Penney, Wal-mart, Target, Kohl's and of course, Victoria's Secret.

Sales in the intimate apparel category are expected to grow about 7% in 2010 according to a new report from Citi.

Lingerie has blossomed from a commodity into a fashion market segment with higher margins than apparel, according to Citi analyst Nancy Marino. Younger woman want style and value while older women want comfort and value.

The industry is growing in the mid to high single digits per year versus low to mid single digits for women's apparel overall and growth is accelerating.

With these projections sounds like women may only be wearing lingerie soon.